Modeling in psychotherapy training: A randomized controlled proof-of-concept trial

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Psychotherapy Training
• Skill Acquisition

Background:

• Modeling is crucial for learning but understudied in psychotherapy training.
• Controlled studies are needed to validate its effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if modeling enhances psychotherapy skills compared to a control group.
• To assess the impact of modeling on psychotherapeutic competences, counseling skills, empathy, and alliance.

Main Methods:

• Sixty-nine psychology students were randomized into an intervention group (manual reading + modeling) or a control group (manual reading only).
• Intervention group watched a video of a therapy session; control group watched a tutorial.
• Participants demonstrated skills in role-plays, rated by independent raters, trainees, and simulated patients (SPs).

Main Results:

• Psychotherapy competences (Cognitive Therapy Scale) and counseling skills (Clinical Communication Skills Scale-Short Form) significantly increased more in the modeling group.
• Therapeutic alliance (Helping Alliance Questionnaire) also showed greater improvement in the modeling group from external rater and SP perspectives.

Conclusions:

• Modeling demonstrates initial efficacy in enhancing psychotherapy skills and counseling abilities.
• Further research should explore modeling in more complex training scenarios and real patient interactions.